Ambassador Robert Wood
U.S. Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament
72nd UNGA First Committee
New York City, November 2, 2017
AS DELIVERED
Mr. Chairman, my delegation will abstain on draft resolution L.27, “The Arms Trade Treaty.”
The United States is conducting standard reviews of various international agreements, including the Arms Trade Treaty, and as such we are not in a position to vote “yes.” Our abstention in no way prejudges the outcome of our policy review.
The United States shares the aims of the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty. We continue to support efforts to improve international standards for regulating the international trade in conventional arms, and to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion. We continue to offer our cooperation and assistance to Member States in order to achieve this objective, including by assisting in the establishment of robust transfer controls and the enhancement of conventional weapons stockpile security and management, in order to contribute to international peace and security. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Member States, both Arms Trade Treaty States Parties and non-States Parties alike, to prevent conventional arms from falling into the wrong hands.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.